War and Peace’s Tom Burke cast as JK Rowling’s Cormoran Strike in BBC adaptation

The author’s novels, written as Robert Galbraith, are being adapted for TV
New role: Tom Burke will be playing Cormoran Strike in the BBC adaptation of JK Rowling's novels
Anthony Harvey/Getty
Ben Travis7 September 2016

The world of Harry Potter might be making a comeback on the stage and the big screen, with the arrival of the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – but those aren't the only JK Rowling adaptations coming up.

The writer’s Cormoran Strike mystery novels, published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, are heading for the BBC – and the lead role has now been cast.

Tom Burke will be playing Strike, a war veteran who sets up his own small detective agency, aided by his assistant Robin.

"I'm overjoyed to be immersing myself in the role of Cormoran Strike, who is as complex as he is larger than life,” he said.

"I know I'm joining an extraordinary team of people on a series that for me is peppered with moments of real emotional depth and meticulously grounded in the page-turning momentum of these novels."

Burke previously portrayed Fedor Dolokhov in the BBC’s critically acclaimed adaptation of War & Peace earlier in 2016.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - in pictures

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Rowling has currently written three stories in the Cormoran Strike series – The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm, and Career of Evil – each of which are being adapted for the BBC.

The Cuckoo’s Calling will consist of three 60-minute episodes, while The Silkworm and Career of Evil will have two episodes each.

The adaptations will begin shooting in Autumn, and will air as ‘three separate event dramas’.

"I'm thrilled about the casting of Tom Burke, a massively talented actor who'll bring the character to perfect life,” said Rowling.

“Cormoran Strike is pure joy to write and I can't wait to see Tom play him."

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